Go karts are one of the most coveted toys as a kid. There is nothing quite like driving around your backyard or on a track pretending to be a NASCAR of Formula One driver. As a matter of fact most pro racers got their start with go kart racing as a child and many of them owned electric go karts for kids.

An electric go kart is an upgrade from a pedal go kart, but not quiet as fast as powerful as a gas powered kart. These karts generally require a few hours of charging time and then offer just under an hour of driving time. Not all go karts for kids are high speed racing vehicles. There are plenty of entry level go karts for kids that offer an introduction to racing at reasonable speeds.

Best Electric Go Karts For Sale

We have picked out the top electric go karts for kids below and highlighted max speeds and age range suggestions. All of our suggestions are from one brand Razor who make great electric go karts for kids that are safe and perform super quiet which means you won’t disturb any of your neighbors.

Electric Go Karts for Kids Reference Table

Summary

Age: 8+

Max Speed: 10 mph

Max Weight Capacity: 120 pounds

Features and Specs

Razor makes an awesome dune buggy for kids. This particular model is compact, features a simple design, and rides very smooth. It features a 350 watt chain driven electric motor with variable speed up to 10 miles per hour all while remaining pretty quiet. The steering console is designed like a modern day plane with all of the controls built in and allows for one handed operation of acceleration and braking. The dune buggy is powered by two fully rechargeable 12 volt batteries.

Safety and Comfort

This buggy has a tubular style steel frame similar to what you might find on a carnival ride at a fair, to keep the rider protected. There is a classic go kart style racing bucket seat that has padding and will provide your child comfort for extended hours. In addition it also features a seat belt to keep the driver strapped inside the cockpit. The foot rest is a diamond plate made of quality materials that add to the stability of the kart.

Best Place to Drive

This buggy is recommended for asphalt, concrete, compact dirt, or low cut grass. It has good rear suspension which makes cornering smooth and helps navigate over bumps. The tires aren’t ideal for off-roading in loose dirt or sand. If you were to take this on the beach for example, the tires will dig into the loose sand and it will struggle with mobility.

Why We Recommend

Razor makes high quality into level karts for both children and for adults. This buggy is built well with a practical design, electric motor, and safety features. Its fast enough to get a feel for kart racing and controlling a vehicle, but not so fast that you need to worry about your child’s well-being. This is a good place to start to find out if your kid is interested in go kart racing.

Of all the karts on our list this is the best kart for various terrain types because of how the tire size and chassis design.

Features and Specs

The Ground Force Drifter Fury Ride On is another awesome kids Go Kart made by Razor. It is sleek, low to the ground and embodies the style of a real racing go kart. It has many similarities to the Razor Dune Buggy in looks, but this was built with more features. The Ground Force Drifter Fury Ride On has spark bar which creates a trial of sparks when it hits top speed, a 24 volt battery which lasts about 40 minutes on a full charge, and variable speed from a very quiet high torque chain driven motor. It also features a racing style steering wheel with a throttle system. The braking is done with a hand brake which controls the rear wheel and releases sparks in the process. It also has a lean chassis finished in quality powder coating offering a nice quality look to it.

From a racing perspective this go kart has a decent design. The front wheels are high grade molded aluminum and the rear wheels are made of Super Slider POM technology. Both front and rear tires are solid rubber with the rear tires wider on the chassis than the front tires. This setup is ideal for learning how to corner in go kart racing because it provides stability when trying to hit the corners apex at top speed and come out in a straight line without over or under steer.

Safety and Comfort

The Fury Ride On features an over the shoulder seat and lap belt and has tubular guard rails on the sides. There is a traditional go kart racing style bucket seat with cushioning with an ergonomic design.

Best Place to Drive

This go kart is ideal for concrete and asphalt. Because of how low it is to the ground, the small diameter of the tires, and the fact that it emits sparks it is not recommended for grass and off road.

Why We Recommend

This Razor electric go kart for kids has some great features that serve as an introduction to racing. The design of the kart, which is similar to pro karts, lends itself to learning how to corner correctly. It has a little more power than the Razor Dune Buggy and offers an extra 2 mph is top speed. If you want to add some flair to your child’s electric go kart experience the spark bar is pretty cool. This is a kart serves as a great introduction to street go kart racing if your child a complete beginner.

Summary

Age: 8+

Max Speed: 12 mph

Max Weight Capacity: 140 pounds

Features and Specs

This kids go kart is very similar to the Fury Ride On above except instead of have a brake lever on the side it has the braking on the steering wheel. This allows you to keep two hands on the wheel at all times. In addition its differentiates itself from the Fury Ride on, by removing the spark bar. Other than that it is the same: powdered coated frame, high torque chain driven ultra-quiet motor, 24 volt battery power that last up t0 40 minutes on a full charge, throttle system intergrated in the steering wheel, and the same racing style chassis design ideal for learning how to corner correctly.

Safety and Comfort

The Ground Force Drifter features a 3 point over the shoulder seat and lap belt. There are tubular steel frame bars on the side of the kart to protect the driver. It also features an ergonomically designed padded bucket style seat like you would find in a pro style race kart.

Best Place to Drive

This go kart is ideal for concrete and asphalt. Since it is designed low to the ground with small diameter tires the kart will not perform well off road or in grass.

Why We Recommend

This model of the Ground Force Drifter loses the sparks which are a frills feature and integrates braking into the steering wheel. This creates the ideal electric go kart for kids if you want your child to drive with two hands on the wheel. Like the Fury Ride on, we love the pro style design with the back tires wider than the fronts which helps keep the car in line when you are learning how to hit the corner apex correctly. I wouldn’t go as far as calling this a drift go kart as they have labeled it, but it is ideal for cornering. If your child is looking for a little bit more serious electric go kart, this is a solid choice.

Summary

Age 8+

Max Speed: 12 mph

Max Weight Capacity: 140 pounds

Features and Specs

The Razor Ground Force Electric Go Kart is very similar to the Razor Drifter Kart. It features that same chain drive motor, 24 volt battery, high torque, and super quiet performance. The throttle has a variable speed mechanism and the braking has a lever, both are located on the steering wheel. Have both the throttle and braking on the steering wheel allows for operation with two hands on the wheel at all times. The 24 battery can get a full charge in 4 to 6 hours and last for up to 45 minutes worth of driving (Some other Razor models require a 12 hour charge). The front and wheel tires on the Razor Ground Force Electric Go Kart are both the same on front and rear which gives it better straight line speed capabilities, although it still corners well.

Safety and Comfort

The Razor Ground Force Electric Go Kart features a lap belt and ergonomically designed bucket seat. There are tubular steel frame bars on the side of the kart to protect the driver.

Best Place to Drive

This Ground Force Electric Go Kart is best used on ideal concrete and asphalt. It has a very low profile design which makes it harder to drive on the grass. The tires are also not ideal for off-roading.

Why We Recommend

This go kart has good straight line speed from the way the chassis is designed. It has shorter charging times and longer performance times than other Razor go karts for kids and it performs for longer on a single charge. If you want to have your child put both hands on the wheel this is ideal because the throttle and brake are on the steering wheel.

How We Picked the Best Electric Go Karts for Kids

There are many different electric go karts for sale and choosing the best one for kids is hard. There are many things that need to be considered such as quality of build, safety standards, speed, weight limit, price, etc. In our research and experience we found that the Razor electric go karts for kids stood out among all manufacturers for electric go karts. When it comes to gas and pedal karts there are other brands we like besides Razor. These electric go karts for kids are not necessarily the fastest out there, but they are some of the most well reviewed and safest. In addition we believe they are a good place to start with your child to find out if you want to make a larger commitment to start go kart racing.

First and foremost when we curated this list our main focus was go kart safety. There are certain checkpoints we looked for in order to determine if a electric go kart for kids was safe. These features included seat belts, steel protective bars, and ergonomic bucket seats. In addition we looked at the reputation of the company, the consumer reviews, and Better Business Bureau complaints. Here we are examining for safety certifications and real customers complaining about quality or safety.

Second we looked at the electric go karts design specifically the battery, the motor, the throttle, and the braking. Each of these components must serve its purpose in the design and be incorporated efficiently into the chassis. In addition these components must be built in order for a child to safely control the system and use the go kart with ease. The easier they can control the go kart, the more safely they will operate it and they more fun they will have while driving it.

Lastly we looked at overall reviews and how the company interacts with it’s customers. We examined deeply parents expectations of the go karts for their children and then noted how quickly the company responded to the feedback. Razor particularly stood out in this area which is why we ended up choosing 4 of their electric go karts for kids on our list.

Added Safety on Electric Go Karts for Kids

While these electric go karts for kids all have certified safety features there are other pieces of safety equipment you should consider before letting your child ride on an electric go kart. These karts don’t go more than 10 to 12 mph a helmet should always be worn when a kid drives an electric go kart.

The helmet is certainly the MOST important, but other things you might consider are gloves, elbow pads, and knee pads. Again you don’t have to get fancy or expensive, but if you child is completely new to controlling a vehicle taking extra precautions may prove beneficial. Some of the Razor karts above have options to buy the electric kart and get a helmet and knee/elbow pads included as a package deal.

Buying a Kids Electric Go Kart For Sale Conclusion

Electric go karts for kids are a ton of fun. Pay attention to the age range, weight limits, and speeds listed for each kart. All of the karts featured above are intended to give your child a taste of operating a motorized vehicle at low speeds. If you want to see if your child as interest in go kart racing these are all good vehicles to start with. Other options would be to find a kart track near you that has options for small children.

Overtaking or go kart passing is a very important part of go kart racing. There will be countless numbers of opportunities to pass and be passed every time you head out to the track. Whether it’s during a practice or during the final points race of the season, passing needs to be smooth and efficient. Even if you are not a serious kart racer and you are using family friendly indoor track…we will cover the most important moves you need for success.

In this article we will cover the two most important techniques used to overtake your opponents when cornering; out-braking in and out-accelerating out. Of course there are other times to pass, but these will be your best opportunities for a clean overtake.

Understand the Track

During a practice or qualifying session on the track, it is a good idea to consciously look for places on the track that you might be able to pass on. Consider the fastest racing line you would drive in a situation you might pass and practice it a few times. This way, when you start the race you already have a plan of how your going to get up to the front in the least time possible.

Wide parts of the track are the most ideal and the safest, but tight turns can offer the element of surprise although you need to be able to pass both clean and safe. The idea is to find spots of vulnerabilities where other drivers may go wide or take turns to tight.

How to Pass in a Go Kart Race

The most likely way you are going to be able to pass someone on the track is if you are able to out-brake or out-accelerate you opponent in a turn.

Out Braking Your Opponent Into a Corner The title is pretty much self explanatory. You have to be able to out-brake your opponent into the corner so that you have the advantage on the inside. You will have a tighter line and will be able to pull away with your speed coming out of the corner. The move starts with getting parallel to your opponent and essentially you are preventing them from turning in.

In the diagram below, the green dot represents the proper passing move.

Here is the step by step approach to a proper out-brake pass:

Get parallel to your opponent

Brake slightly later than them on the turn in

Ease off the throttle and maintain the inside line

Visually check where your opponents kart is in relation to yours

Accelerate on the turn exit and move onto your opponents line (if its safe)

Pro Tip: Avoid “Diving” into the corner to avoid an accident. As a general rule, make sure that the person you plan on overtaking has seen you and knows not to turn into you overtake them. If you are not at least level with the other go karter before they start turning in, back off. Other wise, you may cause an accident and be disqualified.

If you are trailing an opponent and not parallel, you can also look for an opportunity when the car ahead of you starts to drift wide into a corner and they leave a gap to the inside. You can accelerate into and out-brake them (risky move though, cause they still need to see you). If it’s not meant to be back off and wait for another corner.

Out braking is a good technique, but it is often the slowest way through a corner as it utilizes the early apex.

Out-Accelerating Out of the Corner

Your goal when using this method of overtaking is to use a wider line going into the corner so that you may start to accelerate before your opponent. The goal is to be heading straight forward on the throttle as your opponent is just coming out of the corner.

In the diagram below, the blue dot represents the proper passing move.

Here is the step by step approach to a proper out-brake pass:

Take a wide approach on the corner (use threshold braking)

At the end of the braking zone begin your acceleration

Aim for the late Apex on the corner exit

Look to be full throttle and straighten your wheels as fast as possible

Pro Tip: This best executed when your opponents have a tendency to turn in early. The key to pulling it off correctly is to time your throttle compression in a straight line, while your opponent is still cutting their wheel for their turn exit and can’t accelerate at the same rate you can because of the slip angle of their tires.

Out-accelerating using the late apex is the fastest way through the corner and is a pro passing move.

Go Kart Overtaking – Wrap up

Understanding these two techniques will carry you along way into winning more races and getting your season points. There is a certain art to it and it requires timing, patience, and practice. The diagrams above are for one turn type, but can generally be applied to most corner angles.

For other pro go kart racing tips you can checkout the top 10 cornering techniques which will also help you to pass like a pro kart racer.

Well, the easy answer is find the fastest line around the track and master your cornering techniques, but the truth is victory comes to those who are most prepared.

If you are prepared for the day at hand, there will be no surprises, you can be calm and collected, and overall have an excellent race day. Sometimes it’s not even about winning the race, it’s about finishing the race strong and knowing that you drove the fastest race you could have in the end.

Below are some steps you can take before every race weekend to ensure you put yourself in a position to win, before the race starts.

Preparing Like a Winner

Pre Race Checklist

Make sure that everything that needs to be done on the kart is completed before you get there. Change your oil, tighten up and double check all the nuts and bolts, get your spec gas all ready to go, etc. There is nothing worse than showing up on a race day and having to make drastic improvements to you go kart while you’re on the paddock.

Its most helpful if you write up a pre-race checklist on your smart phone the night before and literally check everything off to make sure its completed. Using the same checklist every race will ensure consistency of preparation.

Get a Good Nights Sleep & Eat a Full Breakfast

Get an excellent sleep the night before, and make sure you eat a great breakfast. A good night sleep will help improve your reaction time on the track and increase your ability to make good decisions.

I understand that we go kart lovers have to get up early to be where we need to be sometimes, but regardless you will perform much better on a full stomach than you would otherwise. And then there are those of use who need to eat to make weight either way! So eat a good meal before you get going!

Walk the Track

Before you get on the grid it’s a good idea to take a look at the track or even better walk it. This might seem weird but every go karter should try it at least once if they don’t already do it. After you walk it, try and just visualize the track in your mind so that once you get out there it will seem easy! Like you’ve done it one hundred times before. This is especially crucial if you are at a track you’ve never visited before. You should really take the time to study the track in this case.

In addition to walking the track you should also review the flags to make sure you are familiar with what the circuit uses.

Get to the Race Grid On Time

Pay attention to the race officials. It sucks to be last on the grid or have people waiting for you because you missed the call while you were having a conversation with that cute girl from the next pit over. So try to resist and pay attention! The day will go much smoother overall if you’re on time.

It will benefit you to sit in your kart and meditate for a few minutes on your strategy, while you wait for other drivers to take the grid.

Getting a Good Start

Once you’re on the track, your focus has now switched to the green flag. As soon as that flags falls you need to be ready to step on it! Getting a good start is a crucial part of any race. Be ready for it.

Think 2 Steps Ahead

Once you’re actually racing, try and stay calm, cool and focused on the kart in front of you. Always be thinking ahead about how you might overcome or hold off an opposing go kart. Also, always be ready for them to make a mistake. Every time they slip up, you are given an opportunity to make a move and overtake. Take advantage of this factor and stay focused so you aren’t the one slipping up! This will be your key to winning the race or finishing ahead of those you have been racing with all year.

5 Beginner Tips for Winning Go Kart Races

Sit With Your back flush Against the Seat – Posture plays a role in how your karts handles and accelerates. Sit with your back up against the seat and do not lean forward. Leaning forward will slow you down.

Grip the Wheel at 10 and 2 – 10 and 2 is preferred but any symmetrical grip is fine. Grab the wheel sturdy so that your have good control while you turn. If you don’t grip tight enough you will waste time and inertia correcting your kart’s racing line.

Keep the Wheels Straight as Much as Possible – The straighter you can point the front wheels with your foot on the throttle the faster you will be. Ever time you turn and/or swerve you reduce your speed and negatively affect your lap time.

Threshold Brake – Braking with your front tires straight is more effective than braking while turning. Try to complete all your braking before the corner and then accelerate through the corner.

Follow the Fats Drivers – If you are not winning thats fine, but pay attention to the fast racers. See what line they are taking on the track and try to mimick it.

Ready to Win

Of course we aren’t saying that by doing these things you are sure to win your next go karting race, however, these steps should help you to stay calm, cool and confident. These three things are crucial for a racer! If you are looking for information about how to race your kart to the absolute edge for faster lap times, check out our Advanced Driving Techniques for the Fast Racing Line and 10 Tips for Faster Corners.

ASN is Canada’s National Motorsports Sanctioning Authority and creates karting regulations every year for kart sport that tell you and I how to do things right… here are regs that we find most useful to new and experienced go karters. We use Canada’s Regs, it is recommended that you check with your club what rules you should follow.

Pre-Tech

Pre technical inspection is what happens every morning before the big race. Every go karter is required to complete their own pre-tech inspection self declaration. This can be confusing at first for new karters. Just place your race sticker on the assigned spot and get ready to race! Make sure you don’t forget to pre-tech! If you do, you’re liable to receive a penalty or be disqualified all together.

Pro Tip: All you need to know is that as long as your go kart is up to spec according to the pre tech form you are given at registration, and the inspector gives you the ok, you’re all good!

Post-Tech

Post technical inspection is what happens every day after the final race. Usually, the top five go karts are chosen for post tech; however a technical inspector may chose to inspect any kart that was in competition. The tech inspectors may choose, however, to open up the engine and make sure everything is to spec. After they do this, you my friend, are responsible for putting it all back together… so if this is your first time, you might want to pay attention to what they are doing!

Pro Tip: As long as none of the bolts that were painted before qualifying are tampered with, and the tires that were painted before qualifying were used, you are pretty safe.

Wet Racing

Usually, the club or other facility you are racing with will let you know what specific tire is to be used during a wet race.

This is pretty fool proof; but unless you were wondering, it’s against ASN regulations to use modified, grooved or altered dry tires.

Pro Tip: When racing in the rain move in your rear tires. There is a minimum width that ASN states it must be for dry racing, but this is waived for wet racing as long as the axle doesn’t stick out the end, which would most definitely be a pretty dangerous situation!

Wheels and Hubs

There’s only one common sense thing you need to know about your wheel hubs. They have to made of metal, and they have to be keyed to the axle. Hopefully you got all that!

There are some pretty specific things you need to remember for your wheels though, so maybe you should double check next time you go out racing.

Basically, the maximum width of your front tires should be 135 mm. Your rear dry tires can be between 175 and 185 mm. The end!

Drivers Seat

If you’re light like me, you may have a bunch of lead stuck to your seat to help you weigh in. Here are some seat regulations you might want to check out so that you don’t break any rules. Make sure that the seat is only one piece with no added on sections. The seat has to be in good condition in order to use it. So if you’ve got a few cracks or holes in that old seat of yours you might want to consider a replacement some time soon. Finally, make sure your seat is no less than 14 mm from the top of the seat to the ground when you mount it.

Mounting Your Lead / Weights

This is the part of the regulations I’ve become most familiar with over the years. The most important thing you need to know is that your lead must be securely attached to either your seat or the main frame of the kart. So, no lead in your shoes, no lead in your pockets, even when you’ve run out of room to put it all!

You are also required in the regulations to use large washers when mounting your led to your seat. It’s not just safe, it’s sensible, because it will help your seat last longer in the long run.

Pro Tip:You’re also not allowed to attach any lead or ballast weight to any of your body work, as tempting as it may be sometimes when you are tight for space.

Body Work

Most of the regulations included in ASN Canada’s regulations are commons sense. However, there are some things you might want to know if you are ever in the situation where you need a quick fix but don’t know if you will pass post tech after the final race. Basically, if your nose cone breaks off during a race, you can only reattach it with the suitable clamps. You are not allowed to attach your nose cone with any other types of clamps, wires or tape. Sorry, duct tape cannot fix this one.